Week 4: Just like Daniel, I can be mighty when I do the things God wants me to do

“But when Daniel learned that the law had been signed, he went home and knelt down as usual in his upstairs room, with its windows open toward Jerusalem. He prayed three times a day, just as he had always done, giving thanks to his God.” Daniel 6:4-10

Daniel 6:4-10

We are more likely to follow the rules when there are consequences. Talking or looking at your phone in a movie theater is against the rules, but most people do it anyway. Imagine if you got kicked out or had to pay a fine for doing it? There would be a whole lot less chatting and phone usage because there is more at stake.

King Darius issues a decree that anyone who prayed to another god would be thrown into the lion’s den. The stakes were high, but when Daniel heard this, he continued to pray to God without hesitation. In fact, the first thing he did upon hearing the decree was run back home and kneel in prayer.

The consequences did not matter to Daniel because he knew what was right. God was the one true king and Daniel knew it would be disobedient to pray to King Darius. He took the initiative to obey God in the midst of a scary situation even when the consequence was certain death.

Daniel was found out and consequently thrown into the lion’s den. The next day, when King Darius went to check on Daniel, assuming him to be dead, Daniel was completely unharmed. God had protected him because he obeyed. Faith and obedience go hand in hand, as sometimes, obeying God requires great steps of faith. Daniel took the initiative and continued to go to God in prayer because he trusted that God would provide him with the mighty strength to the handle whatever was thrown at him.

Questions to think about:

What is something you do as a follower of Christ that goes against what everyone else is doing?

Have you ever gotten in trouble or been mocked for believing in God?

Maybe God is waiting for you to do something first before He does something big in your life. What is one way you can take initiative to do something in faith?